Program Overview

Dietetic Internship (Foods and Nutrition)

Overview

The Dietetic Internship (Foods and Nutrition) program at the University of Prince Edward Island is an integrated approach to professional dietetic training. Students can apply to enter the program while in their third year of the Foods and Nutrition program. Completion of the degree program in Foods and Nutrition and the dietetic internship can be accomplished in just four-and-a-half years.

Course Structure

The program includes two months of placements in clinical nutrition and foods service settings following the third year in the FN program, and seven months of placements in clinical nutrition, food service management, and community nutrition settings after the fourth year in the FN program. Interns participate in a wide variety of placements with registered dietitians across Canada, including in hospital, long-term care, public health, community organizations, government, and private practice.

Admissions Criteria

To be accepted into the program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Academic performance: an overall GPA of 3.0 (74-76%)
• Personal characteristics: evidence of leadership abilities, ethical behavior, organizational and communication skills, and self-directedness
• Involvement in community or extracurricular activities and special projects
• Relevant work or volunteer experience
• References: faculty will prepare a composite reference for each student applying to the internship program
• Essential skills: read about the essential skills and attributes for students in the dietetic internship program

Faculty Members

The program is supported by the Applied Human Sciences faculty and staff at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fee for the program is $7,630 per year, based on 30 credit hours. International students pay $9,040 per year in addition to full-time student tuition. The university also offers millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to undergraduate and graduate students every year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Integrated Dietetic Internship program can work in various settings, including:

• Hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities
• Public health
• Private practice
• Community organizations
• Government

Dietitians work with patients and residents to help prevent and treat chronic diseases, manage food service, and oversee staff. They also design and implement nutrition education programs, work to reduce food insecurity, and assist in the development of policies to improve community health.